Book a session with a therapist or counselor near you
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
Discover how starting couples therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
Look for a confirmation email in your inbox shortly. We’ll help find you a provider and guide you through everything you should know about starting care at Thriveworks.
My approach to couples/marriage counseling is honesty and openness to both people. I tell each couple that I do not take sides because I am not in your relationship. I find benefit in helping each person understand and hear what the other is saying through role play, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), and MI (motivational interviewing).
In marriage counseling, I teach active listening (not listening to answer), asking questions to clarify (instead of making assumptions), taking time outs if a discussion is getting heavy or elevated, and giving each other grace while learning to make changes.
I know a couple is making progress through their reports, through their body language with each other, and when they provide examples of what they feel they have accomplished.
Couples can supplement their time in counseling by actively working on the assignments given and providing understanding and grace to each other outside of the sessions.
In preparing for couples counseling, keep the end goal in mind. The sessions are most successful when patterns are discussed versus “S/he did or didn't...”
Thriveworks Couples therapy helps couples work through their specific relationship issues. It is led by licensed professionals — often licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) — who are experts in their field and best-equipped to help couples. Some examples of common focuses within couples therapy include:
Couples therapy works by helping couples identify and better navigate their unique challenges. Following an initial assessment of the couple in terms of strengths and needs, the therapist would then discuss their therapeutic goals and any possible approaches or ways of working together as therapist and couple.
Couples attend sessions together, whether they meet in person or by video. In addition to regular couples therapy sessions, each partner may also be asked to attend a few individual sessions to supplement their progress. This will allow their counselor to get to know each individual better, assess each of their personal needs, and develop the very best treatment plan moving forward.
Couples therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and via Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you and your partner.
On average, couples attend couples therapy for 12 weeks. However, couples therapy may last longer or shorter, dependent on the couples’ needs, the challenges they’d like to work through, and the pace of their progress.
Disagreements between partners aren’t uncommon, but they can definitely add stress to your relationship and tension to your home. If you and your partner are struggling with an issue in your relationship, couples therapy is a wise idea. The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists recommends that the sooner you and your partner seek help to resolve your disagreements, the more likely you are to be able to move forward positively together.
Thriveworks Counseling in Portland, ME has couples therapists and other relationship counselors on our team. We can help you and your partner make the necessary reparations in your relationship and improve it as a whole. Reach out today to get started.
All relationships will fluctuate over time, with couples experiencing both highs and lows together. This is completely normal; it would be unnatural to assume that you’ll never have challenging moments or always agree on everything. Often the challenging moments will be overcome; you can resolve arguments and move forward as a couple. But if you and your spouse or partner are feeling stuck on a matter or starting to have more lows than highs, it might be time to address them with a Portland couples counselor.
Some common approaches to couples therapy include The Gottman Method, narrative therapy, and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. Remember: All of our Thriveworks counselors get to know their clients before designing their treatment plan. This ensures that they help you put the best foot forward on this journey.
Every couple’s circumstances are unique: your personalities, family dynamic, work-life balance, religion, culture, and many other factors make you different than anyone else. However, despite those factors there are several topics that commonly come up in couples counseling, regardless of the background of the partners. These sticking points may include:
Often, couples will consider but then delay the process of seeking help via Portland couples counseling. They may have been able to resolve issues on their own before, or they might not feel it’s necessary to attend couples therapy if their relationship is otherwise strong. This is exactly the instance in which the AAMFT recommends benefiting from the support of a trained professional. Why wait until that one issue you’re struggling with starts to affect other aspects of your relationship, too?
Did you know that after seeking the guidance and support of a couples counselor, more than 93% of American spouses report feeling better equipped to deal with their issues in the future? That’s a great reason to seek out a Portland couples counselor at Thriveworks Counseling who can facilitate discussion about your issue and help you work towards a positive resolution.
We can provide you with a safe, respectful environment to discuss and resolve whatever is bothering you, helping you to move forward positively together. Plus, we offer evening and weekend sessions, provide same-week appointments, and accept most major insurances. Reach out today for help.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Friday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Saturday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Sunday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Monday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Tuesday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Wednesday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Thursday | 8:00am - 9:00pm |
Shown in ET
Friday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Saturday | 8:00am - 6:00pm | |
Sunday | 8:00am - 6:00pm | |
Monday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Tuesday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Wednesday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Thursday | 8:00am - 9:30pm |
Shown in ET